The 10 best prog guitarists in the world today

10. Alex Lifeson (Rush)

After receiving over 50,000 votes across 11 categories, this year's Total Guitar readers' polls were fiercely competitive. Now, the results have been tallied, and we're ready to announce what you voted the finest gear and guitarists of 2015.

Prog is becoming an increasingly broad church, and we're pleased to be able to include such a diverse range of players in this category. From sonic trickery to technical perfection, these are the players that lit your fire this year, starting with...

Alex Lifeson (Rush)

Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee are rapidly approaching their 50th anniversary as members of Rush. Imagine that for a second: half-a-century of progging your flippin' bonce off. Amazing scenes.

Lifeson hinted that he may no longer be able to play live soon due to arthritis, but man, what a run. The legend endures.

8. Tosin Abasi (Animals As Leaders)

He's heavy, he's funky, he's a man of many strings - yes, it’s Tosin Abasi, the extended-range guitar wizard who had a hell of a year.

Abasi stepped up a level to join Guthrie Govan and Joe Satriani as part of the G4 Experience, and he'll be playing with them once more in 2016, cementing his status as a key member of the new guitar god pantheon. Nice.

5. Matt Bellamy (Muse)

Love him or hate him ' for there is no middle ground - Matt Bellamy continues to be that rarest of beasts, a bona fide guitar hero putting out bizarre concept albums that effortlessly trample all over the charts.

Drones was adored by many, and a welcome return after three years away.

3. John Petrucci (Dream Theater)

As ever, John Petrucci continues to hold vast swathes of the guitar-toting population in awe. Dream Theater are about to release The Astonishing, an album that requires a map to navigate its storyline, so expect a bumper 2016, all you Dreamers.